Looking for luxury and relaxation on your vacation? There are plenty of hidden gems along north coast Croatia. Many spa and wellness centers are connected to elegant five star hotels with award winning restaurants. This is not a recent development, the north coast has been catering to high-end clientele since the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Habsburg monarchy. This included governors, archdukes, emperors and empresses, composers, authors, dancers and other royals and artists. Due to the extremely healthy climate along this part of the Adriatic sea, people from all over Europe have traveled to this area for over 100 years for specialty breathing treatments and help with thyroid issues, joint problems and many other ailments. Here are today's top rated locations:
Istria:
This four star resort, wellness camping and brewery offers a steakhouse restaurant, pizzeria, outdoor pool, garden park and spa.
In the spa they offer massages, facial care, body treatments, Finnish and Turkish saunas, beer bath, rose petal bath and private couple’s spa.
This five star adults only luxury hotel is located right on the sea, just outside of the old town. Offering multiple restaurants and bars, private beach, indoor pool, four outdoor pools (one with hydro massage and hot spring effects), tennis courts, wellness center and spa.
In the hotel's wellness center they offer cardio, circuit and strength training equipment, morning yoga classes and an outdoor space for stretching.
In the hotel's spa they offer massages, facial care, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, Finnish sauna, steam bath, private steam sauna and royal bath.
Istria is known for its award winning wine and olive oil.
READ: Wine in Croatia and Olive Oil in Croatia
Island of Lošinj:
This five star luxury hotel is located in Čikat Bay and offers rooms with a terrace hot tub, indoor and outdoor heated pools, private beach, award-winning restaurant Matsunoki, wellness center and has won the awards for Croatia’s Best Hotel Spa and World’s Best Hotel Spa.
In the hotel’s wellness center they offer a nutritionist on site, SUP and kayak on the bay, functional training at the outdoor fit court, group classes at their fitness zone and personal training.
In the hotel’s spa clinic they offer chromotherapy, hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, massages, facial care, body treatments, hair treatments, manicures, pedicures, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, heated marble bed loungers, secret spa, spa garden and sea-tox program.
Other unique spa and wellness locations on the island include the Garden of Fine Scents offering fragrance therapy programs, events and tastings and the Lječilište, a health resort offering facial care, body treatments, manicures and pedicures.
Island of Krk:
This five star hotel is located outside the center of town right along the sea. Offering a restaurant, bar, wine shop, indoor and outdoor pool, wellness center and spa.
In the hotel’s wellness center they offer a fully equipped fitness center, counter-current indoor swimming and relaxation zone.
In the hotel’s spa they offer massages, manicures, pedicures, cosmetic treatments, Finnish sauna, steam bath and panoramic adults only spa with jacuzzis.
A one of a kind wellness location on the island is Soline Bay in Soline. This beach is made of black mud, called peloid, for centuries known for its healing properties because of its rich minerals and organic compounds. Apply the mud on your skin and let it dry for about 30 minutes before washing off, avoiding your elbows, knees, thyroid, heart and kidneys. Although this may not sound like the most luxurious thing to do, your skin will be left smooth and glowing and it is said to also help boost the metabolism, blood flow and those with injuries to the musculoskeletal system.
Kvarner:
This five star hotel is located outside the center of the city, right on the Kvarner Bay . Offering multiple dining options and bars, indoor and outdoor heated pools, watersport activities, wellness center and spa.
In the hotel’s wellness center they offer a fully equipped fitness center, wellness workshops, private lessons and group classes, including cycling, rowing and yoga on the beach.
In the hotel’s spa they offer massages, facial care, body treatments, hair and cosmetic treatments and hydrothermal zone with Finnish saunas, Bio sauna, steam rooms, Himalayan salt room and plunge pools.
This five star hotel is located outside the center of town, right on the Kvarner Bay. Offering an award winning restaurant, bar, lounge, heated outdoor seawater and Ika spring water pool, wellness center and spa.
In the hotel’s wellness center they offer a fully equipped fitness center and relaxation zone.
In the hotel’s spa they offer massages, facial care, body treatments, Finnish sauna, steam sauna, salt room, hydrotherapy, zero body gravity float, vinotherapy, private night spa and summer spa cabana.
Another exceptional spa and wellness location in this region includes Thalassotherapy Opatija in Opatija. This center specializes in wellness, medical services and diagnostics. Offering a heated seawater pool, counter-current swimming, jacuzzi, fitness center, relaxation room and 4 types of saunas – Finnish, Aromarium, Thalassarium and Lakonium. Services include massages, facial care, body treatments, hair treatments, hand and foot care. Other specialties include nutrition, dermatology, aesthetic surgery, psychology, sports medicine, physical therapy, neurology, rheumatology, cardiology, pulmonology, radiology, diabetes and more.
For more on the opulent city of Opatija READ: Travel Guide to Opatija
So if it's luxury hotels, spa treatments, thermal pools or wellness programs you seek there are plenty of options along north coast Croatia. Take in the healing properties and relaxing views this area of the Adriatic Sea brings to its most exclusive guests.
Many have been to the southern coastal part of the country, like Dubrovnik to take a "Game of Thrones Tour", visited the city of Split as one of their cruise itinerary ports, or stopped off at one of the islands, like Korčula, Hvar and Brač, but most have not seen the north coast regions of Croatia and we highly recommend you do.
Whether it's your first time traveling to the country or just the next time you're here wanting a more authentic, less touristy experience. Europeans have been vacationing at this hidden gem for decades but others seem to completely overlook it. Come see for yourself what makes the north coast so special.
North Coast Croatia Travel Agency specializes in travel to Croatia and surrounding European countries. Providing consultations, custom itineraries, pre-designed theme itineraries, summer beach rentals and a travel blog. Booking flights, accommodations, cruises, tours, rental cars, transfers, bus/train/ferry tickets, travel insurance and more!
Book a FREE 30 minute Travel Consultation with me to discuss planning your trip to Croatia!
Comments